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Turmeric is the Healthy Pumpkin Spice Alternative You’ve Been Missing

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There’s a spicy orange alternative to pumpkin spice that’s rich in antioxidants and packed with major anti-inflammatory properties. It’s called turmeric, and when paired with a healthy diet rich in good fats, it can help with indigestion, swelling and chronic pain, among other things.

While the tropically grown root is traditionally used to spice up curries, soups and vegetable stir-fries, its numerous health benefits make it so we just don’t want to stop using it there. Here are three ways to get your daily dose of this liquid gold.

Turmeric Tea
Start your day by adding a teaspoon of ground turmeric to a boiling kettle, then letting the substance simmer for 10 minutes. Use a tea filter or sieve to strain the grounds before pouring the liquid in your favorite teacup. Add honey or lemon to brighten up the taste.

Mix it with juice
Turmeric’s strong flavor tastes best when countered by sweet and acidic flavors, like citrus fruits (we love this tangerine turmeric recipe), or mixing up this anti-inflammatory super drink of apple, carrot, lemon, ginger and turmeric from the folks at Food Matters. If you’re not so into the idea of rolling up your sleeves and doing it yourself, Purity Organic and Suja have great tasting pre-made options.

Make a (very healthy) latte
This Golden Milk recipe from Epicurious has that perfectly warm silkiness that will keep you toasty on a chilly fall day.

You will need:

  • 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk, preferably coconut milk beverage or almond milk
  • 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
  • 1 (1-inch) piece turmeric, unpeeled, thinly sliced, or 1/2 teaspoon dried turmeric
  • 1 (1/2-inch) piece ginger, unpeeled, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • Ground cinnamon (for serving)

Whisk coconut milk, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, honey, coconut oil, peppercorns, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer until flavors have melded, which should take roughly 10 minutes. Then, strain through a sieve, pour into your favorite mug or to-go cup and add a dash of cinnamon to taste.

With these spicy — and health — drink options, you’ll be the picture of health in this pumpkin spice-centric world.

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